Guinness, Guinness, and baby Guinness
So I got back from Dublin on Saturday afternoon--had a hell of a good time over there! We left Swansea at 10:30 PM on Tuesday night (which meant that I had to finish my essay a day early--I barely finished it on time before the office closed; it's crap, but oh well) and arrived in Dublin (after a very tumultuous 3 hour ferry ride) at 9:30 AM. We put our stuff down at Isaac's Hostel (never stay there, by the way, the train passes right above the hostel about every 5 minutes and they're doing a whole bunch of noisy construction, plus the rooms feel like sauna's even with the window open) and then we (me, Megan, Teresa, Patrick, Mikey, and Aidan) went to find a place where we could get some grub. Found this place called Maxi's Cafe where I indulged in a crispy chicken sandwich and OJ for breakfast. Then we were off--to where...I dunno. Really, we just walked around all day. We found Dublin castle, but we just missed the tour (you have to go by group tours if you want to see the inside of the castle) so we left instead of waiting for an hour. Went to a pub called The Front View or The Forum or something. Very nice atmosphere, though. The others had a pint of Guinness and I had cola. Then we went back to the hostel to get our room keys and stuff, slept for a bit until dinner and then went to a restaurant called La Pizza Place. Very good food. I had lasagna, garlic bread, and a triple scoop of ice cream. Soooooo decadent. With our stomachs fueled up, we moseyed on into the Grand Central pub, which was absolutely packed on the top floor, but we found some peace on the lower level. They play the best mix of music in Dublin--soooo much better than the cheese that they play in Swansea. Radiohead, the Cure, the Bangles, Extreme, etc. Mikey got carded there 'cause he looks like a 16 year old even though he's 21. After that, it was off to another bar called Busker's (had a club attached to it). Not so fun there 'cause you couldn't even move on account of how many people were packed into that one small space. Some guy was like, "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you for half an hour! What a blind date, huh? I bet you didn't even know!" I was thinking, "Just back away..." and then he told Megan that he loves me. Uh huh. Went home after that, stayed up 'cause of random bouts of silliness (that's what you get when 3 girls and 3 guys share a room).
Next day was St. Patrick's Day!!! We ate at Subway then nipped into a gift shop so we could Irishfy ourselves a bit. Then we lined up for the parade, which was already 4-5 people deep by the time we got there. It was a pretty cool parade--everything was so random; it don't know if it had a theme or anything, but there was this one float that was of a giant foot/toilet thing with a man who could have been a creation of Tim Burton sitting inside of the toilet saying something into a megaphone. There were quite a few marching bands from the US including one from Colorado and Wyoming. The US flag was also a prominent part of the parade. Unfortunately we were right along the parade route where the band takes a break so we didn't hear many of them playing. After the parade ended, the me and the gang went to the Guinness Storehouse. I wish we could have stayed longer, but Mikey had promised to meet his friend back at the hostel at 4:30 PM, so most of them didn't even look at the exhibits and went to the top bar for their pint of Guinness instead. Megan and I looked at most of the exhibits and we learned about the origins of the Guinness cartoons. Since the stout is packed with iron, it used to be given to children after they've had blood taken out or whatever. Some of it is stolen from Alice in Wonderland and stuff. The top bar is really cool 'cause you have 360 degree views of the city and you get your free pint. I had about 1/3 of mine--I couldn't drink it all 'cause we had to leave and I can't down it 'cause it's so bitter. Mini shopping spree at the Guinness shop where I got the coolest shirt. Back at the hostel, the gals and I took a nap while the guys stayed in the lobby since Mikey's friend wasn't allowed to come up to the rooms. Went down later in the evening, talked to Christian from the German film thing we both go to, and then we finally set off at around 9 PMish. We started off as a huge posse of about 18 people, but we dwindled down 'cause we said that we'd meet them at Temple Bar but we really meant Busker's so we went our separate ways at the ATM. We ended up going to this bar/club called Q. Not too bad--I like it better than the clubs at Swansea 'cause they played much MUCH better music here. I kissed an Irishman on the cheek before we left (hahahah!). I also had a baby Guinness while we were there. I told Patrick that I didn't want one, but he insisted and bought one anyway. It cost about €6.50/shot so I couldn't not drink it, now could I? It's 3/4 Tia Maria and 1/4 Bailey's. Very sweet and very good, actually. It took me about 5 minutes to drink, though--I was just staring at it for a while and thinking that I'd never be able to do it. Okay, so maybe POSSIBLY drinking isn't all THAT bad. Me, Megan, and Teresa left at 1:30 AM while the boys stayed a bit later. I forgot to mention that the gals and I also ate at this one place called Supermac's (100% Irish) which is basically the exact same thing as a McDonalds, but they have delicious sundae's.
Next day was our shopping day. We went back to the Irish gift store and I went on a shopping spree. More walking throughout the day--went to St. Stephen's Park, which is absolutely gorgeous! Had lunch at QUIZNO'S, more browsing, dinner, and then we went to see Million Dollar Baby at the Savoy cinema. Oh my god, that film made me cry soooooo much. My face and eyes were completely red by the end and the boys were laughing at me and Megan 'cause we were sniffing all the way back to the hostel. Go see it. Hillary Swank is awesome. That reminds me--I took a picture with this group of guys at Q who kept on saying "Awesome!" the entire time 'cause Megan and Teresa used it so much. After that, it was time for bed 'cause we had to wake up at 4 AM since our coach was leaving at 5 AM. Sucked major butt. I almost forgot my souveniers inside the hostel, but remembered just in time to go running back. Finally got back to Swansea at 3 PM on Saturday afternoon--just in time for the Six Nations Wales v. Ireland rugby match. Rugby is the national sport of Wales and they haven't won the Six Nations (Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy) series in 27 years--this was their first chance to do so. AND THEY WON!!!! Mucho coolness! Rugby union is a pretty crazy game--I don't understand it much, but it looks like a combination of football (American) and soccer without the helmets and pads.
I woke up on Sunday with no voice, but plenty of phlegm in my throat--how nice. Megan came a-knocking and told me that she had lost her passport! We looked in all her bags, but to no avail. She thinks that she left it on the ferry 'cause she took it out then and forgot to put it back. Kept calling the ferry company, but they couldn't find it so now she has to get an emergency passport at the US embassy in London. I'm going with her 'cause she doesn't have her birth certificate or copy of her passport with her, so I have to vouch that she is who she claims she is. That sucks ass 'cause it costs $85 to replace and all.
Today I went shopping (medicine and memory stick) feel even worse than yesterday 'cause now my head and back and butt hurt. How wonderful. Travelling stresses me out even though it's muy fun. The coach was freezing--I had four layers of clothes on (including a sweater and coat) and was still cold. Watched Donnie Darko, Pulp Fiction, and X-Men 2 on the coach.
Now I just gotta get cracking on the 3 essays that I have left. I watched on film (Rancho Notorious) for my poli sci class, but I gotta check out some other Westerns too. And do lots of reading for history. And watch more films for my other essay in poli sci (since I don't have to take an exam). Anywho, that's all that's been going on.
Next day was St. Patrick's Day!!! We ate at Subway then nipped into a gift shop so we could Irishfy ourselves a bit. Then we lined up for the parade, which was already 4-5 people deep by the time we got there. It was a pretty cool parade--everything was so random; it don't know if it had a theme or anything, but there was this one float that was of a giant foot/toilet thing with a man who could have been a creation of Tim Burton sitting inside of the toilet saying something into a megaphone. There were quite a few marching bands from the US including one from Colorado and Wyoming. The US flag was also a prominent part of the parade. Unfortunately we were right along the parade route where the band takes a break so we didn't hear many of them playing. After the parade ended, the me and the gang went to the Guinness Storehouse. I wish we could have stayed longer, but Mikey had promised to meet his friend back at the hostel at 4:30 PM, so most of them didn't even look at the exhibits and went to the top bar for their pint of Guinness instead. Megan and I looked at most of the exhibits and we learned about the origins of the Guinness cartoons. Since the stout is packed with iron, it used to be given to children after they've had blood taken out or whatever. Some of it is stolen from Alice in Wonderland and stuff. The top bar is really cool 'cause you have 360 degree views of the city and you get your free pint. I had about 1/3 of mine--I couldn't drink it all 'cause we had to leave and I can't down it 'cause it's so bitter. Mini shopping spree at the Guinness shop where I got the coolest shirt. Back at the hostel, the gals and I took a nap while the guys stayed in the lobby since Mikey's friend wasn't allowed to come up to the rooms. Went down later in the evening, talked to Christian from the German film thing we both go to, and then we finally set off at around 9 PMish. We started off as a huge posse of about 18 people, but we dwindled down 'cause we said that we'd meet them at Temple Bar but we really meant Busker's so we went our separate ways at the ATM. We ended up going to this bar/club called Q. Not too bad--I like it better than the clubs at Swansea 'cause they played much MUCH better music here. I kissed an Irishman on the cheek before we left (hahahah!). I also had a baby Guinness while we were there. I told Patrick that I didn't want one, but he insisted and bought one anyway. It cost about €6.50/shot so I couldn't not drink it, now could I? It's 3/4 Tia Maria and 1/4 Bailey's. Very sweet and very good, actually. It took me about 5 minutes to drink, though--I was just staring at it for a while and thinking that I'd never be able to do it. Okay, so maybe POSSIBLY drinking isn't all THAT bad. Me, Megan, and Teresa left at 1:30 AM while the boys stayed a bit later. I forgot to mention that the gals and I also ate at this one place called Supermac's (100% Irish) which is basically the exact same thing as a McDonalds, but they have delicious sundae's.
Next day was our shopping day. We went back to the Irish gift store and I went on a shopping spree. More walking throughout the day--went to St. Stephen's Park, which is absolutely gorgeous! Had lunch at QUIZNO'S, more browsing, dinner, and then we went to see Million Dollar Baby at the Savoy cinema. Oh my god, that film made me cry soooooo much. My face and eyes were completely red by the end and the boys were laughing at me and Megan 'cause we were sniffing all the way back to the hostel. Go see it. Hillary Swank is awesome. That reminds me--I took a picture with this group of guys at Q who kept on saying "Awesome!" the entire time 'cause Megan and Teresa used it so much. After that, it was time for bed 'cause we had to wake up at 4 AM since our coach was leaving at 5 AM. Sucked major butt. I almost forgot my souveniers inside the hostel, but remembered just in time to go running back. Finally got back to Swansea at 3 PM on Saturday afternoon--just in time for the Six Nations Wales v. Ireland rugby match. Rugby is the national sport of Wales and they haven't won the Six Nations (Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy) series in 27 years--this was their first chance to do so. AND THEY WON!!!! Mucho coolness! Rugby union is a pretty crazy game--I don't understand it much, but it looks like a combination of football (American) and soccer without the helmets and pads.
I woke up on Sunday with no voice, but plenty of phlegm in my throat--how nice. Megan came a-knocking and told me that she had lost her passport! We looked in all her bags, but to no avail. She thinks that she left it on the ferry 'cause she took it out then and forgot to put it back. Kept calling the ferry company, but they couldn't find it so now she has to get an emergency passport at the US embassy in London. I'm going with her 'cause she doesn't have her birth certificate or copy of her passport with her, so I have to vouch that she is who she claims she is. That sucks ass 'cause it costs $85 to replace and all.
Today I went shopping (medicine and memory stick) feel even worse than yesterday 'cause now my head and back and butt hurt. How wonderful. Travelling stresses me out even though it's muy fun. The coach was freezing--I had four layers of clothes on (including a sweater and coat) and was still cold. Watched Donnie Darko, Pulp Fiction, and X-Men 2 on the coach.
Now I just gotta get cracking on the 3 essays that I have left. I watched on film (Rancho Notorious) for my poli sci class, but I gotta check out some other Westerns too. And do lots of reading for history. And watch more films for my other essay in poli sci (since I don't have to take an exam). Anywho, that's all that's been going on.